How To Use Programmable Thermostats

“Set it and forget it!”

By Hannah Brennan

 

Save up to 10% every year on heating and cooling without having to ever touch your thermostat again! The U.S. Department of Energy states to gain these savings, simply turn your thermostat 7°-10°F hotter or colder (depending on the season) for 8 hours a day. 

Learn how to use programmable thermostats to make your life easy, never worry again about turning the temperature air up or down every day. But first, let’s compare the different kinds of thermostats.

 

Types of Thermostats

 

There are 4 main types of thermostats: digital, electromechanical, WiFi and smart.

 

1. A digital thermostat typically offers more features regarding multiple setback settings, overrides, and consideration of daylight savings time. However, because of its many abilities, it can be more difficult to program. This thermostat uses a thermistor to register the temperature inside and adjusts accordingly. A thermistor is made up of metallic oxides with a precise curve and typically reads within a half to one degree of the temperature.

 

2. An electromechanical thermostat, or better known as a mercury bulb thermostat, is usually found in an older home and has a temperature sensor made of typically a bi-metal coil or strip. Compared to a digital thermistor to measure the temperature, the electromechanical thermostat calibrates readings within a temperature range. This means the temperature in your home could be 5 degrees above or below your set point. 

 

3. WiFi thermostats can be controlled by a connected, remote device, in addition to simply using it regularly. With a device, you don’t even have to be in the building to change the temperature. Similar to regular digital thermostats, WiFi thermostats use thermistors to monitor the temperature. Programming this thermostat looks similar to a digital one, however can be password controlled, preventing renters, roommates, or children from altering the settings. 

 

4. Smart thermostats offer everything WiFi thermostats do, but additionally learn from your usage. For instance, say you’re gone at work every day in the summer from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. You don’t mind a higher temperature while you’re not there, but like a cool 72°F when you arrive back home. The smart thermostat will automatically raise the temperature to a more energy efficient level at 8 a.m. and gradually decrease to 72°F by 5 p.m.

Programming Your Thermostat

 

Programmable thermostats allow you to adjust the time and temperature to a pre-set schedule. There are four types of programmable thermostat scheduling styles typically included with digital or WiFi thermostats:

7 day → Allows programming a schedule for every day of the week

5-1-1 → Allows programming a schedule for the week, plus different schedules for Saturday and Sunday.

5-2 →Allows programming a schedule for the week, plus one schedule for both Saturday and Sunday.

1 week → Only allows one schedule of the entire week.

 

Scheduling Reminders

• Raise or lower the temperature 20 to 30 minutes before leaving home each day
• Raise or lower the temperature 20 to 30 minutes before you come home each day
• Reduce the heating or air conditioning 1 hour before you go to sleep each night
• Increase the heating or air conditioning 30 minutes before you wake up each morning
• For winter months, lower the temperature 10°F while asleep or out of the house
• For summer months, program it to be warmer than usual or comfortable while out of the house

 

Best reviewed programmable thermostats in the market today:

 

7-day → Honeywell RTH7600D Touchscreen 7-Day Programmable Thermostat

5-1-1 → Emerson 1F80-361 5-1-1 Day Programmable Thermostat for Single-Stage Systems

5-2 → Honeywell Home RTH6360D1002 5-2 Day Programmable Thermostat

Smart Thermostat → Nest Learning Thermostat v.3 OR Ecobee3 Lite Thermostat 

                                                                                                                                                              *Energy Star Certified

 

Having a programmable thermostat in your home saves you more than money. It saves you time, energy, and sanity. Never again worry about whether or not you set your thermostat for the day! Learn more about C-wires in your thermostat here.

 

Start saving 10% on your energy bill every year by scheduling an appointment with us for a new programmable thermostat. Or, contact our office about scheduling an estimate today!